"These crackpots want to change everything," she said. "I called the governor's office, and they're going to tell him. I hope it works."

Senate Democratic Leader Nan Rich, who voted against the bill, is hopeful.

"The underlying bill had to do with bees, and it's not something that has to pass this year," Rich said. "Usually it takes about two weeks for a bill to make its way to the governor. People still have time to voice their complaints."

Rich, D-Weston, argued against lifting the ban, but the bill was approved by the Senate and House.

"At the whim of one person, we change a law that's been in place for 45 years to protect animals," Rich said. "If they use the wrong kind of dye, it can clog the animals' pores and they can die. I am going to work as hard as I can to get the governor to veto this."

The bill also would make it legal to sell or give away chicks or ducklings less than 4 weeks old and rabbits less than 8 weeks old.

"Blue and pink bunnies and chicks may appeal to children, but dyeing these small animals can be a death sentence for the animals," said Daphna Nachminovitch, an official with the group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

The sale of dyed chicks, rabbits and other animals is illegal in more than 20 states. Many dyes are poisonous to animals that ingest the toxins when they preen themselves, Nachminovich said.

"Whoever I have to call, I will call," said Harold Greenberg, ofBoynton Beach. "It's endangering them needlessly. It makes no sense."

"What is wrong with these people?" asked Fran Hardie, a Boca Raton resident. "How about we dump them in a tub of dye and see if they like it?"